Let's Buy Local This Christmas

Tuesday, 3 November 2020 13:00

Now’s the time to support local shops and eateries, when independent businesses need our custom more than ever before. Despite many having to close their doors throughout November, lots of local businesses are offering home delivery and collection services throughout their temporary closure. We find out how you can still shop local throughout lockdown...

On the Isle of Wight, we are lucky to be blessed with a variety of local businesses selling seasonal items and produce. As these enterprises navigate their way out of the situation we’ve all faced this year, it’s more important than ever that we help to keep our local shops afloat.

Rather than doing the big Christmas shop at a supermarket, try the local farm shops, butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers scattered throughout the Island. You’ll almost certainly be purchasing food produced in fields nearby. If you're shopping throughout November, make sure you take a look at their website and social media pages to see if they offering home delivery before you shop elsewhere.

Briddlesford Farm stocks products from over 50 local producers, as well as the full range of their own dairy products. Buy delicious, locally produced items from independent retailers such as the Quarr Abbey farm shop, Island Roasted, The Isle of Wight Biscuit Company and Adgestone Vineyard.

Why not arrange a doorstep delivery of Pennethorne Park Farm milk in glass bottles from Four Winds Dairy. It’ll save you nipping out to the shops when you’d rather be tucked up in your new pyjamas and slippers. Grace’s Bakery offers free home delivery Island-wide on all orders over £8 and it’s not just delicious bread and cakes they stock. Grace’s have a wide range of produce from Isle of Wight suppliers and a section dedicated to gifts, hampers and seasonal treats. Everything is made to order hours before your delivery, you can’t get bread fresher than that!

If a traditional turkey dinner doesn’t tickle your fancy, we are lucky on the Isle of Wight to have an abundant food culture, with many alternatives to a roast available.

Try shopping for gifts at an independent; the Isle of Wight has a substantial number of small gift shops and boutiques, such No. 26, in Ventnor, My Funky Bags in Yarmouth, Treclaimed of Newport and Bembridge Flower Shop, where you’ll find unique gifts, not available in the high street. Why not order a book you know they’ll love from Ryde Bookshop. Or if you enjoy artistic creativity, a piece of original artwork from a local artist adds a distinctive look to any home.

KwirkyKreationsIW, set up in 2018, renovate and upcycle unwanted and unloved furniture. There’s lots of unique pieces in stock to choose from or you can commission them to have furniture updated with a contemporary, modern facelift.

Be sure to shop with W H Hurst & Son too, browsing their many beautiful gifts and homeware collections. You’re guaranteed to find something for those hard-to-buy-for relatives — and they're offering home delivery and store collection.

Of course, there’s still the run-up to the big day itself, once the lockdown has lifted. Isle of Wight eateries will be offering deals for festive meals and socially distanced get-togethers beforehand. And when you’ve had enough of cooking, grab some of the Island’s great locally made grub to takeaway and enjoy at home.

Island Roasted: Coffee and tea available as well as traybakes and gifts to order online at www.islandroasted.co.uk/shop

Ryde Bookshop: Offering online shopping at www.ryde-bookshop.co.uk/

Treclaimed: Offering online shopping for delivery and collection. Visit: treclaimed.co.uk

Bembridge Flower Shop: Order over the phone or online, for delivery or collection. Visit: www.bembridgeflowershop.co.uk or call 875500

Quarr Abbey Tea Shop: Offering takeaway.

Cornerstop Cafe: Open for delivery and takeaway only: Visit cornerstopcafe.company.site

My Funky Bags: Offering free delivery on online shopping at: www.myfunkybags.com

No 26, Ventnor: Offering click and collect, as well as no-contact deliveries. Visit: www.no26iow.co.uk

Island Biscuit Company: Order online or via email: www.islandbiscuits.co.uk / islandbiscuits@aol.com

Love Running: Order shoes, products or gift vouchers via email: mail@love-running.com

Stotesburys Fish and Chips: Order for click and collect, at stotesburysfishchips.co.uk/, or call 522316. Also available via Uber eats, Go Eats and Just Eats.

Island Tea & Coffee: Experts in bringing tea and freshly roasted coffee to businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This festive season, cosy up with a hot cup of cinnamon-infused freshly roasted coffee beans. It’s a perfect gift that’s roasted in a local, SALSA-approved coffee roastery.https://www.betapak.co.uk/coffee

Forget Me Not Art Shop, Upper St James St, Newport: Offering a click and collect service during lockdown. Contact via 07305 477873, 01983 522291 or Facebook: www.facebook.com/WightArts. See the virtual Tour on Google Maps.

The Corn Exchange, Arreton Barns: Offering personal shop/ gifting experience. Details of what they have in stock is posted daily on their Facebook page @arretonbarns. Email Jane thecornexchange@btconnect.com with your requirements and she will organise payment and a convenient time for collection at The Corn Exchange. Also, included in this is fudge from sweet memories. They will be able to share daily flavours on enquiry.

Steam Railway: There is now an online shop accessible via their main website https://shop.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ Choose from items inc, model trains, island produce, stuffed teddies and more.

Graces Bakery - Local bread, cakes and much more delivered to your door. Free delivery over £8. Order at www.gracesbakery.uk/. Open for walk-ins.

Shanklin Old Village late night shopping 4th - 19th December, the perfect location for that unique gift

Briddlesford Farm: Offering online shopping at www.briddlesford.co.uk/farm-shop/

Hurst: Open as usual and offering home delivery and collection online.

Quarr Abbey Farm Shop

Kwirky Kreations

The Galley: Order online at thegalleyiow.co.uk

Four Winds Dairy

Tomato Stall: Order online at https://thetomatostall.co.uk/

IW Furniture available on line for delivery Island Wide https://www.iwfurniture.co.uk/

Let's Buy Local This Christmas

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